Winterfest at Indian River a week away

Friday

Jan 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM

WinterFest will hit Indian River next weekend and after many years of frustration, the conditions look to be better.

By MARK SPENCLEYmark@cheboygantribune.com

WinterFest will hit Indian River next weekend and after many years of frustration, the conditions look to be better.As the name implies, WinterFest centers on cold weather recreation, most of which requires snow. Last January was virtually snowless, requiring officials to replace and postpone.“There is snow in the forecast for the next 10 days, so we should be in really good shape,” said Dawn Bodnar, Indian River Chamber of Commerce director. “We should have plenty of snow. Its finally looking like things are going to go right.”The more snow the better for Indian River. Snowmobile trails are the main arteries that pump winter tourists into and out of Indian River. With the trails in good shape, the number of people attending WinterFest should be impressive.“There is going to be so much going on this year,” Bodnar said. “We have some new events that people are really excited about. It will be a good time.”Equally reliant on snow are snowmobile races, one of the main attractions at this year’s events.Snowmobile drag races, new to this year’s WinterFest, will anchor the festival.Races will take place from noon– p.m. Saturday at Cooperation Park. “People are really excited about the snowmobile races,” said Bodnar. “They really get into that stuff.”There also will be an ice fishing tournament Saturday on Burt Lake, which will run from 7 a.m.–4 p.m.“There has been ice on Burt Lake for a couple weeks now, so there will be lots to do out there,” added Bodnar.For more information, contact the Indian River Chamber of Commerce at 231-238-9325.

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